A Writer You Are Not.
For years, I believed I wasn’t a writer.
No matter how much effort I put into refining my work, I always struggled with self-doubt. My writing was either too concise or too wordy, and feedback reinforced my fears. These writing struggles and self-doubt held me back from truly expressing my ideas.
Writing Struggle That Cemented My Self-Doubt
One experience stands out. In college, I wrote a paper exploring the history of my hometown. I was fascinated by how it had developed over time and saw the potential to turn my research into something more—a historical narrative that captured its evolution.
When I shared this idea with my professor, hoping for encouragement or guidance, I was met with a lukewarm response:
"It's a good paper for class, but nothing beyond that."
It wasn’t a bad grade or overt criticism, but it sent a clear message: My writing was acceptable, but not exceptional. That moment cemented my doubt.
So, I Stopped Trying
I didn’t stop completely—after all, writing is unavoidable in academic and professional spaces. But I stopped believing that I could be good at it. I saw writing as a box that some people naturally fit into, and I wasn’t one of them.
Avoiding Writing by Speaking
Instead, I tried podcasting, thinking maybe my ideas were better suited for spoken rather than written form. But even then, I found myself holding back. Rather than sharing my own thoughts, I focused on interviewing others—something I genuinely enjoyed—but it became another way to stay in the background.
I was facilitating conversations, not contributing to them. It felt safer that way. My writing struggles and self-doubt had followed me into a different medium. I lacked confidence in my voice, both literally and figuratively, and speaking my own ideas aloud felt just as intimidating as putting them on the page.
Then, AI Entered the Scene
Now, I know AI is controversial. It’s changing industries, workflows, and long-established norms at a speed that makes a lot of people uncomfortable.
But for many neurodivergent individuals like myself, AI is more than just a tool—it’s a collaborator.
For the first time, I had something that could help me process my thoughts in a structured way, without judgment, without frustration, and without feeling like I wasn’t “good enough” to be a writer.
AI didn’t do the writing for me. It helped me shape my ideas, clarify my points, and structure my thoughts in a way that made them easier to communicate. It wasn’t a shortcut—it was an enabler. A way to bridge the gap between what I wanted to say and what I was able to put into words.
Creativity Was Never the Problem
For years, I believed that creativity was something reserved for other people—the “real” writers, the ones whose words flowed effortlessly. But maybe the problem wasn’t that I lacked creativity.
Maybe I just hadn’t found the right tools to help me express it.
Now, I write with more confidence. My writing struggles and self-doubt haven’t disappeared entirely, but they no longer dictate my creativity. For the first time, I’m not just tolerating the process—I’m enjoying it. And that’s something I never thought I’d be able to say.
I Know I’m Not Alone in This
I’ve seen AI unlock possibilities for students who, like me, once struggled with writing struggles and self-doubt. They thought writing wasn’t for them, but they just needed the right tools.
It makes me wonder—how many people have been told they “can’t” do something when really, they just haven’t found the right way to do it yet?
I’d love to hear from others who’ve had a similar experience. What tools, approaches, or changes helped you overcome self-doubt in your own work?
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